Welcome back to Season 8! We decided to kick it off with one of the biggest announcements of the year — the 2026 Retail Summit is officially live, and this one is going to be next-level. Ashley Alderson and Samantha Conner pull back the curtain on what’s coming August 16–17 in Dallas… and why being in the room matters more than ever. This isn’t just another conference. It’s two packed
As we wrap up Season 7 of the Boutique Chat Podcast, I wanted to pause—right where you’re listening—and take an honest look at where the retail industry stands today and where it’s headed next. Based on 1,000’s of conversations with boutique owners over the past year, this episode breaks down 13 key focus areas that are truly working right now and will matter most in 2026. These aren’t trends for
What if the fastest way to grow your boutique… isn’t more products, but a better experience? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Hannah Carlson of Mulberry Market Co. Hannah shares her story of how she went from selling jam at a veggie stand on her parents’ farm to building a booming, curated retail brand—then she moved across the country and essentially started over. We get into the real play-by-play:
Burnout is one of the most common struggles for boutique owners, retailers, and small business owners—and it’s rarely caused by laziness or lack of passion. More often, it comes from trying to do too much, growing too fast, and drifting away from the very reason you started your business in the first place. In this episode, Sara Burks breaks down why burnout happens, how over expansion drains your energy, and
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Kristi Briceno (Mom Buns and Ruffles) for a conversation that’s equal parts deeply personal and highly tactical. Kristi shares her journey from nursing to photography to direct sales, the moment her company shut down with almost no notice. But the story doesn’t stop there. Kristi breaks down how she pivoted into owning her own boutique, how she finally got clear on who her
Retail Bootcamp didn’t come from a textbook or a perfectly mapped business plan — it was built in the middle of failure, fear, and figuring things out the hard way. In this Five Minute Friday (okay… a little longer than five minutes 😉), Ashley Alderson shares the behind-the-scenes story of how The Boutique Hub was almost lost before it ever really began — from imposter syndrome and trusting the wrong
Welcome to the new year! On the first episode of 2026 Ashley Alderson is joined by Sara Burks for a big-picture retail conversation that every boutique owner needs right now! Retail is changing fast — and 2025 proved that “business as usual” isn’t enough anymore. With reports showing 15,000+ store closures, Ashley & Sara unpack what really happened, what retailers got wrong, and how small businesses can build a stronger,
In today’s Five Minute Friday, I’m officially inviting you to join me for The Best Year Yet Challenge—our biggest free training of the year. Planning a new year shouldn’t feel overwhelming or leave you burned out by March. Instead of chasing perfection or setting goals that fade fast, this challenge is all about creating a clear, realistic, and actionable plan for 2026—one you can actually stick to. Over three powerful
As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this episode isn’t about pretty planners or lofty resolutions — it’s about the behind-the-scenes work that actually sets your business up for success. In this solo episode, Ashley Alderson walks you through the five critical areas every retailer must review before the year ends so you’re compliant, organized, profitable, and positioned to lead — not just hustle — in
As we head into 2026, one thing is clear – the gap between average retailers and top performers is widening — and it has nothing to do with effort. In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down what the top 10% of retailers do differently right now, and why those decisions are positioning them to grow and scale while others feel stuck. Hard work isn’t the issue. Strategy is.
Welcome back to Season 8! We decided to kick it off with one of the biggest announcements of the year — the 2026 Retail Summit is officially live, and this one is going to be next-level. Ashley Alderson and Samantha Conner pull back the curtain on what’s coming August 16–17 in Dallas… and why being in the room matters more than ever. This isn’t just another conference. It’s two packed
As we wrap up Season 7 of the Boutique Chat Podcast, I wanted to pause—right where you’re listening—and take an honest look at where the retail industry stands today and where it’s headed next. Based on 1,000’s of conversations with boutique owners over the past year, this episode breaks down 13 key focus areas that are truly working right now and will matter most in 2026. These aren’t trends for
What if the fastest way to grow your boutique… isn’t more products, but a better experience? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Hannah Carlson of Mulberry Market Co. Hannah shares her story of how she went from selling jam at a veggie stand on her parents’ farm to building a booming, curated retail brand—then she moved across the country and essentially started over. We get into the real play-by-play:
Burnout is one of the most common struggles for boutique owners, retailers, and small business owners—and it’s rarely caused by laziness or lack of passion. More often, it comes from trying to do too much, growing too fast, and drifting away from the very reason you started your business in the first place. In this episode, Sara Burks breaks down why burnout happens, how over expansion drains your energy, and
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Kristi Briceno (Mom Buns and Ruffles) for a conversation that’s equal parts deeply personal and highly tactical. Kristi shares her journey from nursing to photography to direct sales, the moment her company shut down with almost no notice. But the story doesn’t stop there. Kristi breaks down how she pivoted into owning her own boutique, how she finally got clear on who her
Retail Bootcamp didn’t come from a textbook or a perfectly mapped business plan — it was built in the middle of failure, fear, and figuring things out the hard way. In this Five Minute Friday (okay… a little longer than five minutes 😉), Ashley Alderson shares the behind-the-scenes story of how The Boutique Hub was almost lost before it ever really began — from imposter syndrome and trusting the wrong
Welcome to the new year! On the first episode of 2026 Ashley Alderson is joined by Sara Burks for a big-picture retail conversation that every boutique owner needs right now! Retail is changing fast — and 2025 proved that “business as usual” isn’t enough anymore. With reports showing 15,000+ store closures, Ashley & Sara unpack what really happened, what retailers got wrong, and how small businesses can build a stronger,
In today’s Five Minute Friday, I’m officially inviting you to join me for The Best Year Yet Challenge—our biggest free training of the year. Planning a new year shouldn’t feel overwhelming or leave you burned out by March. Instead of chasing perfection or setting goals that fade fast, this challenge is all about creating a clear, realistic, and actionable plan for 2026—one you can actually stick to. Over three powerful
As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this episode isn’t about pretty planners or lofty resolutions — it’s about the behind-the-scenes work that actually sets your business up for success. In this solo episode, Ashley Alderson walks you through the five critical areas every retailer must review before the year ends so you’re compliant, organized, profitable, and positioned to lead — not just hustle — in
As we head into 2026, one thing is clear – the gap between average retailers and top performers is widening — and it has nothing to do with effort. In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down what the top 10% of retailers do differently right now, and why those decisions are positioning them to grow and scale while others feel stuck. Hard work isn’t the issue. Strategy is.
